Dealer markup
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 766
From: north Carolina
Jeez you guys have it bad trying to buy out in CA! I thankfully haven't ever paid MSRP, my salesman sees me looking at the tag hanging on a new bikes and says "oh don't even worry about that I'll have you out the door for less than the MSRP", and he always has. My buddy bought a new 17 Road King special a week after the 18 models came out and they took 2500 off MSRP, and threw in detachable sissy bar installed, couple shirts, hat, and first service
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 59
From: Virginia
I bought a 2016 FLHTK just as the 2017s were coming out. From the MSRP, the bike was tagged at $4k less. They were trying to get them out the door. Plus, 5% financing for 5 years; 10% down. I would never pay MSRP for a bike, a car, an RV or a Boat. It's not necessary.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
I would just walk in with the msrp price/build print-out of the bike and color you want from HD's Website (which includes freight) and say "I'm interested in this exact bike, here is HD's full retail price any discount"? Given the current market in motorcycles I wouldn't consider paying a penny over list price and that's with no Doc, prep, wax treatment, market price adjustment, or any other BS mark up. And this would be for a 2019. 2018's are now 1 model year old, three years from now it'll be 4 model years old, so compensation in the form of additional discount off msrp would be necessary.
I was at my local dealer this past weekend looking at their remaining 2018 inventory. They have a ton of 2018s. I was shocked to see that they still had a 10% markup over MSRP on top of all the other costs they pile on that are legit as well as padded. They wanted $22,000 to $23,000 for a stock Sport Glide. Add tax, DMV fees and documentation and you are pushing $25,000! WTH! It's no wonder they have so much stock on hand. The place was a ghost town. Anyone else finding their dealers inflating the price of their remaining 2018 bikes?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 101
From: Parrish, Florida
And if your willing to to let them pack the deal with other fees, charges, financing, insurance, warranties, accessories, etc that's your call and stands to substantially increase their profit margins, many times double or more which is total waste of money in my opinion.
Use the info as you see fit, Forewarned is forearmed unless your inclined to be played like the everyday sap that gets screwed to hilt on a day in day out basis in a "Stealership" showroom. I bought my CVO Ultra for 10% under MSRP with no set up or other knick-knack charges (only paid Freight). Knowing how to shop and when to buy saved me over $5k just by knowing how to negotiate a deal in gentlemanly manner and keeping the invoice as clean and on point as possible.
Hoping that by passing a little knowledge around it can help others who care to use it.
Last edited by Bgill; Aug 30, 2018 at 08:12 PM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 632
From: NorCal Rocklin
How did I know. Those free hotdogs, parties, and beer doesn't pay for themselves. One poster said it well. It's a great hangout just to test bikes and other things.